That comment stung. He was writing about a recent comments section debacle at The Washington Post (Jay Rosen, as usual, has the wrap-up). I've spent so much time lately trying to get people to notice me, but I don't have the slightest idea how to encourage conversations with my readers. I appreciate the guidance, though. Heaton's essays bridge journalism and marketing perfectly, and his posts actually dish analysis instead of pithy or ironic references. He understands a whole new form. I've been a freelancer for years now, and I studied with some of the best journalism teachers in the country--but nobody prepared me to interact with my readers.
"Newspapers need commenters (read: connected consumers) more than commenters need newspapers," wrote Umair Haque at the Bubblegeneration Strategy Lab. Readers are already drowning in a sea of print with blogs, message boards, and emails, and careers are being built by people who can analyze "connected consumers." I will interview those experts, but I'm still figuring it out too. My point is simple: read my posts, and talk back! Despite the press releases and flash ads, I'm in the same boat as you--another writer trying to stay afloat in this overwhelming new world.
Let's all cling to the same piece of wreckage...
» Contact ThePublishingSpot from ThePublishingSpot
Despite my fleet of shipwreck metaphors over The Great Washington Post Comments Section Debacle, an observant reader pointed out that my own email address is not readily available for readers who wish to comment to me. So, without further ado,... [Read More]
Tracked on: January 26, 2006 9:41 AM | Permalink to Trackback